Getting a letter from the IRS claiming you owe unpaid taxes can make anyone’s heart skip a beat. Reports are pouring in from taxpayers who felt anxious receiving such notices.
A Michigan senior shared receiving a letter from the IRS demanding $6000 in taxes even though they had already paid it. Talk about a shocker! The Detroit Free Press covered this eyebrow-raising story.
Tax experts have seen this happening so often that they now advise clients not to rush into writing another check if they’ve already paid. Instead, they recommend checking bank statements. Apparently, IRS system glitches might be at the root of these wrongly sent letters.
The IRS recently released an alert owning up to the mistake of sending out incorrect CP14 notices.
On the IRS website, it mentions that they are investigating instances where taxpayers are receiving CP14 Notices erroneously indicating unpaid balances despite having made timely payments for their 2023 tax returns.
IRS clarifies that even if you’ve paid electronically or via check and the payments are in process, your account might still show a pending status. So, if you’ve paid your dues on time and in full, no need to panic or call the IRS right away, as they’ll keep you in the loop throughout the process.
The IRS reassured that any penalties or interests will be adjusted automatically once payments register correctly.
Despite the IRS acknowledging the error, the incorrect notices continue to be a thorn in the side of many taxpayers, who fear their payment went missing in the system.
One exasperated taxpayer, George Smith, shared with local media his irritation, saying it caused his clients a lot of anxiety.
Even if you submitted your payment and forms before April 15, erroneous messages from the IRS could still land in your mailbox.
Tax experts suggest waiting for 6 to 8 weeks before reaching out to the IRS about a missed payment, as they might request proof of payment.
If you face such a situation, it’s advisable to contact your accountant or whoever assisted you with filing your taxes. Having someone skilled navigating IRS matters can be a real advantage when dealing with incorrect notices.
Remember, resolving such issues can take time, so patience is key in ensuring everything gets sorted out properly.